Print Media Integration

Print Media Integration

What is Integrated Marketing / Augmented Reality / Near Field Communication

Integrated Marketing:

Wikipedia states that “an approach to achieving the objectives of a marketing campaign through a well-coordinated use of different promotional methods that are intended to reinforce each other.” Print media integration is often achieved through QR codes or a website address that can get you straight to the online version of the content. This online content will extend the initial content and give more information to the reader.

QR Codes

Quick Response, or QR, Codes are bar codes of a two dimensional variety that have existed in some form or another since 1994. The popularity of QR Codes has shot up ever since more people started using mobile phones for their content consumption.

Here is how a QR code works:

Step 1: Take the relevant QR Code and place it on the media piece you wish to link. This media piece can be a postcard, piece of clothing, sign, paper or anything similar.

Step 2: Someone takes a picture of this QR code with their smartphone or tablet, which allows the phone to decode the QR code.

Step 3: When the QR code is decoded by their phone, the user immediately gets transported to the website or application where they can learn more about the information given on the poster/paper/piece of clothing.

To give you an example of how QR codes work in the real world, we will discuss Peapod. They are an online grocery service in the United States that delivers food to their customers’ doorstep. One of their latest features is using the mobile application to scan barcodes of supplies in your house that you need. This ensures that you get the new batch of items before the first one runs out.

For example, say a person is eating Cheerios at home. They notice that the box is almost empty. Instead , they can simply take out their phone, scan the barcode and the Peapod app will ensure that a new box of Cheerios arrives at their doorstep at the designated day and time.

The only thing a person needs to use QR codes is a smartphone or tablet with a camera.

There are so many different ways you can use QR codes, especially because they are so easy for potential customers to access. Here is a look at some ways you can use QR Codes for your business:

Direct visitors to –

Websites

Email addresses

Phone numbers

Business Cards

Major or local events

Certain locations or map points

Text messages

Social media account links

How can you create a QR Code? Many websites offer this service, with the basic version of the service completely free. Here are a few examples: